Vehicle top



` 27, 1938. T. P. I OHRMAN VEHICLE TOP Filed OCI'.. 5, 1936 INvEN'ToR Patented Dec. 27, 1938 UNTE STATES 2 Claims.

The invention relates to vehicle tops, and more particularly to vehicle tops which can be folded down.

in the conventional type of folding tops, several transverse are secured together with folding brackets, having an outer covering attached thereto. With this type of construction, it is impossible to avoid objectionable squeaks and rattles in the framework.

it is an object of the present invention to overcome these objectionable noises, which is accompiished by the elimination of transverse ribs, and

reduction in the number of folding brackets Another object of this invention is to eliminate the unsightliness of the top caused by shrinkage of the outer covering.

The accomplishment of these objects by the present invention, as well as other improvements are quite obvious from a study of the following description in conjunction with the drawing which forms a part of this application, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side-perspective view of the top, having cut-away portions to show the folding mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical representation of the stresses and their relationship to the successful operation of the mechanism involved.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 1, the top is divided into two sections i and 2, as indicated by dotted line 4. Section i is semi-rigid, being supported by an outer frame member l, (Fig. 3), and may be supplemented with a longitudinal pad 6; section 2 is rigidly supporte-d by a shell-like member 3.

One or more glass panels 8 are provided in rear section 2, to afford visibility, and may be made to open to provide ventilation if so desired.

A further designation of parts includes a windshield il, door lil, and side window Il.

To the outer edge of fabric 5 is secured a retaining member !2, which is inserted into the channel frame member 1. This provides an efficient means for securing the fabric 5 to the framework; this type of construction is described and claim-ed in Patent No. 1,848,637 'issued to applicant on March 8, 1932. However, this is not an essential part of the present invention, as other attaching devices may be employed for attaching fabric 5 to the frame members.

Whenever desired, the top may be folded back as follows: Fabric 5 is detached from the framework l and section l is folded back within section 2; section 2 may then be lowered into position as indicated by dotted lines i3. The folding brackets ifi which support section 2 while up,

-now recline in position as indicated by broken lines i5. The L.' shaped hinge member i6 swings back to the position indicated by broken lines il.

The rigid shell-like member 3 is preferably constructed of sheet metal formed to the shape of the top, which permits a one-piece construction eliminating squeaky joints and provides a construction easy to assemble. Any shrinkage of the outer covering t coul-d not distort the shape of a top of this type, since the sheet metal employed would be sufficiently strong to withstand any stresses imposed thereon.

rf'he conventional type of construction empioyed in vehicle bodies having folding tops, has another obvious weakness, namely: The door openings in the sidewalls of the body divide said body into two or more sections supported solely on the underlying framework. When the top is folded down, there is no support between these body sections with the exception of the underlying framework, which is inadequate to prevent the body sections from rocking; this causes the doors to move about in their respective positions, creating a noisy condition and impairing the efficiency of said doors, since they rapidly become ill-fitting, hard to open and close, and in most cases fail to keep the body in a weather-proof condition.

As shown in Fig. 3, the frame member l is supported on a flanged channel formation, having considerable strength and rigidity. In Fig. 1, the channel frame member l' is concealed by retainer strip l2 and outer covering 5, but since Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. l, it is obvious that the channel member l' extends along the top of windshield 9, side window Il, and downwardly, connecting with the rear section of the body; thus, an arch-like truss bridges the door-way i. This framework 1 may be built as part of the body superstructure, since it nee-d not be folded down with the top, thus providing additional support to the body sections and eliminating the objectionable rocking previously referred to.

By referring to the drawing, Fig. 2, it is seen that the fabric 5 is secured to the rigid shell 3 at i8, and to the body 2i? at I9. The tautness of fabric 5 exerts forces 2i and '.22 upon shell 3; the product of forces 2i and 22 tend to force shell 3 downwardly as indicated by arrows 23. The folding brackets M counteract this force 23 since they stop forward of dead center 24, and in order to fold brackets I4, they must be forced back past dead center. Thus, unless intentionally folded, brackets I4 provide ample support to the forward part of shell 3.

Hinge members I6 are positioned at the rear of shell 3.and have a swinging radius 25, said radius 25 being tangential to a substantially vertical plane at the point of contact with shell 3 when in its normal position. 'Ihis allows shell 3 a vertical movement only at this point, and insures the horizontal stability thereof. The vertical stability of shell 3 along radius 25 is provided by forces ZI and 22, since shell 3 is pivotally mounted to brackets I4 at point 26, and force 22 prevents shell 3 from moving upward along radius 25, while force 2I prevents a movement in the opposite direction.

As shown in Fig. 1, there is sufficient space between shell 3 and frame member I to allow shell 3 to drop down as indicated by broken lines 2l, Fig. 2. This is accomplished by forcing brackets I4 back to the position indicated by broken lines 28. This dropping of shell 3 as indicated, removes the strain from fabric 5, which now assumes a slack position as indicated by broken lines 29, and permits fabric 5 to be easily disengaged from framework 'I, so the top may be lowered as indicated by dotted lines I3, Fig. l. It is this slackening off of the strain of the outer fabric which permits an easy disengagement thereof, and without which a top of this kind would present an overwhelming resistance.

It is obvious from the foregoing disclosures that a structure has been provided wherein much of the folding framework has been eliminated, and all the objects set forth have been accomplished.

While the preferred form is shown and described herein, the applicant does not wish to limit his application precisely as shown, but desires to avail himself of such variations as may be obvious to those skilled in the trade, and may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. In combination with a vehicle top having a rigid rear section, and an outer covering detachably secured to the front section thereof; means for supporting said rear section, comprising pivotal folding brackets operative in conjunction with swinging hinge members; said supporting brackets and hinges being so designed as to permit said rear section to swing down and back within a recessed portion of the vehicle body; and means provided for slackening of the outer covering of said front section prior to detaching of said covering from said front section thereof.

2. A vehicle body with a fold-down top thereon; said top having a substantially rigid rear section, an outer covering thereon and extending forwardly thereof to provide a covering for the front section of said top, said outer covering being detachable from the framework of said front section; means for supporting said rear section, comprising pivotal folding brackets mounted forward at the lower sides thereof, and normally resisting any flexing thereof, and swinging hinge members mounted rearward at the lower sides thereof and providing normal stability thereto; and means for slackening and detaching said covering from said front section thereof, prior to folding said top down and back within a recessed portion of said body,

THOMAS PAUL LOHRMAN. 

